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February 22, 2017

SVSU to provide additional scholarship support for Bay Commitment students

Saginaw Valley State University will expand its commitment to supporting students and increasing educational attainment in the Great Lakes Bay Region by providing new scholarships for Bay County students who are Bay Commitment scholarship recipients.

Established in 2008 by the Bay Area Community foundation, the Bay Commitment Scholarship seeks to encourage first-generation college students in Bay County to pursue and complete postsecondary education. The program provides $2,000 scholarships for 100 Bay County high school graduates each year during their first year attending Delta College or SVSU; it has awarded over $1.6 million in total scholarships since its inception.

Beginning with the 2017-18 academic year, SVSU will provide renewable $1,000 scholarships for Bay Commitment students in their second, third and fourth years attending SVSU.

SVSU also is establishing a mentoring program for Bay Commitment Scholars to support them during their educational experience and encourage timely completion of a degree.

“We know first-generation students have unique needs and often require personalized support to succeed in college, and that even students who are doing well academically can still face challenges financially,” said Deb Huntley, provost and vice president for academic affairs at SVSU.

“We want to help these local, hard-working students complete degrees, and ideally pursue a career in our Great Lakes Bay Region. We are committed to doing what we can to increase educational attainment throughout our region, because a well-educated citizenry and workforce benefits us all.”

Eileen Curtis, president and CEO of the Bay Area Community Foundation, said the new scholarship dollars will be appreciated by students, families and the community.

“We are excited to partner with SVSU on this significant opportunity for our Bay Commitment scholarship recipients,” she said. “SVSU is a leader in higher education. Their support of Bay County students demonstrates their dedication to the people of Bay County and the entire Great Lakes Bay Region.”

Last year, SVSU introduced the Saginaw Urban and Civic Partnership Scholarship to provide financial support to students who reside in the Saginaw Promise Zone.

For more information on scholarship opportunities at SVSU, visit svsu.edu/scholarships. For more information on the Bay Commitment Scholarship, visit bayfoundation.org/scholarships/bay-commitment-scholarship.